[BNW] Combat Mechanics Question [Matt]

["iguana.1031" <iguana.1031@gateway.net>]

I'm looking for opinions on the mechanics of the following situation/combat
maneuver:


The Characters:

Rapido - male Speedster, Speed 5d6, Strength 4d6
Riposte - female Defender, slight, Size 4


The Situation:

Rapido and Riposte are at one end of a long hallway in a hotel.  At the
other end, 15 rooms away, are a bunch of Mafia goons.  Rapido spends his
first action to pick Riposte up in his arms.  She has her Energy Shield up
and holds her action.


The Question:

Rapido would like to run down the hall to the goons.  He won't be able to
attack, since his arms are carrying Riposte, but she would like to use her
held action for a Shield Attack, getting the extra damage for the velocity.
Would you allow this and what mechanics would you use?


My Humble Opnion:

Yes, they can do it, but . . .
Running with her is not an issue.  He has a 4d6 Strength so there is no
encumberance/movement penalty for her Size 4.
He does not attack, but does need to make a Challenging (10) Martial Arts
roll, just to make sure he can end up where she needs him to be, as she
needs him to be there.  She can then use her held action for a Shield Attack
but at an additional +2 to her TN, because she is moving (not unlike firing
from a moving vehicle), unless . . .

Does Riposte need to develop a new specialized skill of "Martial Arts,
Barehanded, While Being Carried"?  My feeling is that she does and, until
then, it is considered an unskilled attack and she defaults to her Speed,
with a +7 TN modifier (+5  for defaulting to a Trait and the +2 for moving).

So, say the thug (or Delta, or whomever) has a Fighting skill of 3.  Rapido
runs down the hall and makes his roll.  Riposte, until she develops the
skill, needs to make a Speed roll with a TN of 5 (base) + 3 (target's skill)
+ 5 (for defaulting to the Trait) + 2 (for moving) = 15 to hit, or 20 for
the extra raise to activate her Shield Attack Trick.  If she hit, though,
she does her Strength + 5 for the Shield Attack (if she succeeded) +1 for
each 5" of movement (max of +10).  Usually, the attacker will also take the
velocity damage, but her Energy Shield (Armor of 20) absorbs it all.

I know it seems a harsh requirement, initially, but this maneuver - and
variations of it - are already being discussed among my players and it is
very powerful combo.  Please let me know what you think or would do.
Thanks!!